PHILOS 25A Lecture Notes - Lecture 36: Nicomachean Ethics
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Nichomachean ethics book vi: relation between moral and intellectual virtues. For in other pursuits directed by a science it is equally true that we must labor and be idle neither too much nor too little, but the intermediate amount prescribed by correct reason. Similarly, then, our account of the states of the soul must not only be true up to this point; we must also determine what correct reason is, i. e. what its definition is. Capacities of the soul: aristotle further subdivides the rationality proper subpart of the rational part of the soul into scientific (theoretical) and calculative (deliberative) subparts, preparations the function of the intellect generally: There are three in the soul perception, understanding, desire. Of these perception clearly originates no action, since beasts have perception, but no share in action. How thought and desire should interact: as assertion and denial are to thought, so pursuit and avoidance are to desire.